Former NBA legend surprises at Big Al’s preview party in Ontario

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Sneak peek at Big Al’s, a family-owned sports bar and entertainment center company based in the Pacific Northwest, opens its first location in California, in the former Best Buy space at the Piemonte at Ontario Center shopping complex.

Big Al’s, which features a 12-lane bowling alley and arcade games in a stadium setting, opens to the public Thursday. It occupies the 45,000-square-foot space that previously housed Best Buy at the Piemonte at Ontario Center shopping complex, 4120 E. Fourth St.

Guests to the Tuesday night preview event were comprised of friends and family of employees, members of the local business community, city officials and local police and fire personnel.

Walton, at 6 feet, 11 inches, was easy to spot in the crowd, happily signing autographs for fans at the event. Walton’s Azuñia Tequila will be served at Big Al’s and the basketball hall of famer is a friend to the executives of the company, said Craig McKellar, general manager Big Al’s Ontario.

“This is the coolest place in the world,” Walton said in an interview Tuesday night at Big Al’s. “Man, we’re having so much fun here. Grand opening. Fourth location … All my buddies are involved here.”

Walton, known for his bluster during while sportscasting, displayed similar skills Tuesday night.

“We’re just having the time of our lives. Big Al’s — where all your dreams come true. Miss this at your own peril. You have been suitably warned,” he said.

The entertainment center features a VIP “bowling lounge” separate from the 12-lane alley, a game room with billiards, pingpong, floor shuffleboard, darts, a stadium-style sports bar and grill and a large circular center bar with 36 beers on draft. The sports bar features a giant screen that can display a number of games simultaneously. A towering wooden A-frame graces the front doors of the establishment.

Top executives for Big Al’s, which originated in the Pacific Northwest, were on hand. Big Al’s CEO Daniel Kirkwood said the company would love to open a few more stores in the state in the next five years.

“We have three stores in the Northwest — Washington, Oregon and Idaho — and we’ve been wanting to break into the Southern California market,” Kirkwood said. “We feel it’s an underserved market, and we ended up in the Inland Empire with our first step. We think the demographic is phenomenal out here.”

McKellar said he’s excited for the opening and promises Big Al’s will be an active member of the community. The company hired 200 employees, McKellar said.

“We’re going to be really active with the local high schools,” McKellar said. “We’re going to have a wall with their jerseys on the wall here. We’re going to be active with community events, and we have a Big Al’s Big Hearts team that will go out and does community things, like work for the food bank and the (Boys & Girls Clubs of America), so we’re excited about that.”

Neil Prodigalidad, 24, and Nadine Solano, 25, who work at DSV Solutions warehouse in Fontana, were among the invited guests.

“What I like about this place is it’s kid-friendly and there’s a separate section for adults, so it’s a good place to have fun for all ages,” Prodigalidad said.

Solano agreed.

“I like that there’s different elements you can take part in, so it’s not just an arcade, it’s not just a bowling alley,” she said. “Adults and kids get to have fun.”

Real estate expert Randall Lewis, principal of the Lewis Group of Companies, a major developer of shopping centers and housing in the region, said Big Al’s will be a “wonderful addition” to the marketplace.

“It’s a perfect combination of recreation, entertainment and dining,” Lewis said by phone. “It will appeal to many of the target markets that are so desirable today — millennials, young professionals and Gen-Xers.”

Big Al’s, Lewis said, will be “good for attracting new residents to the area as one more amenity, but I also think this will be of benefit to attracting new employers to the area, because they will see there are activities for their workers after work or after lunch.”

Neil Nisperos has been a reporter covering everything from business to education, courts, politics, city government, features, arts and entertainment since 1999. On social media, he has a combined following of about 25,300 people over various apps and platforms. He's passionate about the cinema, science, philosophy, poetry, art, photography, culture, literature and history. He feels fortunate to be in the profession that keeps power in check, memorializes people's stories for posterity and helps people with useful information.